the u.n. says food costs have risen to their highest gain it two years in mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries. >>> chancellorngela merkel's cabinet has signed off on an austerity package that critics say will hit theoore hard, and could endanger germany's economic recovery. 80 billion euro package of spending cuts includes half the reductions of welfare benefits. on the income side, the center- right government wants new taxes on financial transactions, earning transactions -- earning criticism from the banking sector. >> making budget cuts of 80 billion euros by 2014 is a daunting task, but germany's deficit ballooned during the financial crisis. now the conservative coalition wants to bring it back under control. the finance minister says the government is focused on it reining in spending. >> it is part of a parliamentary democracy to have a tense debate on the individual points, but it was always clear we would stay on course. >> farmers will have to pay higher environmental t